Emmerdale star Michelle Hardwick reveals her average weekend

ACTRESS Michelle began her TV career as hospital receptionist Lizzie Hopkirk in the 1960s-set medical drama The Royal, but is now best known as vet Vanessa Woodfield in Emmerdale – a role she has played for five years.

The 42 year old lives on the outskirts of Leeds. “I don’t have any lines to learn on a Friday night, so it’s a nice relaxing time for my brain! I’ll usually order an Indian takeaway so I don’t have to do any cooking, have a beer or two, or a gin and tonic, depending on what mood I’m in, and then I’ll see what’s on television.

I always like to catch up on Emmerdale and I was a sucker for Celebrity Big Brother earlier this year. If there’s nothing on that I fancy, Netflix is my go-to, but my eyes are shutting by 10.30pm; if I’m watching a film it’s very rare that I get to the end of it!

“Saturdays are all about family, so the mornings start very early as I’ll often be on auntie duties! I take my eight-year-old niece Lydia to her swimming lesson at 9am and then I go and watch my six-year-old nephew Daniel playing football around mid-morning.

"I’m the mad auntie screaming from the side of the pitch – I’m so competitive it’s ridiculous! I do think that one of these days I’ll be asked to leave.

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Emmerdale star Michelle Hardwick reveals what she gets up to on the weekend

“My mum works on Saturdays, so I’ll probably go round and have a spot of lunch with my dad. In the afternoon, I’ll meet my friends for coffee and cake.

“If I’m going out on a Saturday night I’ll have a shower and put Spotify on. I’ll blast some tunes out and dance round my bedroom while I’m getting ready. I’ll meet a group of girlfriends and we’ll either go to a local wine bar, or into Leeds, Manchester or Liverpool.

“I start Sunday morning with a lie-in, then I’ll put on Radio 2 and listen to Steve Wright and Elaine Page and sing my heart out while I’m doing my washing and housework. At lunchtime I’ll often go out for a carvery lunch with my family.

“Sunday afternoons are work time and I go through my lines. Then I’m free to just relax and enjoy my Sunday evening watching television.”